Best Android phones out right now

Top 5 Android phones of 2017

Apathetic about Apple? Wincing at the thought of a Windows Phone? Been burnt before by BlackBerry? Sounds like you need an Android.

Thankfully, there's a lot of choice out there. And that means that whatever features you want on your new mobile, there's an Android out there to accommodate you - whether you're tightening the purse strings, splashing out, or looking for the perfect gaming device. Here are our five favourite Androids on the market right now.

Best Android on a budget: Motorola Moto G4

The whole of the Motorola Moto range is worth looking at when you're on a budget, but we'd recommend the Moto G - especially the latest G4. In fact, you get some surprising features, considering how inexpensive this phone is. An Android that can upgrade to Nougat, for instance, is pretty rare in this price range. And an octa-core Snapdragon chipset means it can handle most tasks with little issue. Oh, and there's a 13MP camera with dual-tone flash.

Of course, you'll have to make sacrifices for a low-priced handset. In this case it's in the RAM - there’s only 2GB - and in Wi-Fi tech that could be better. Besides that, however, this absolutely doesn't feel like a budget device. In fact, it'll make you wonder why anyone would bother paying more.

Best Android phablet: Google Pixel XL

The phablet - a phone with a size that edges a bit closer to a tablet - has a lot of competition, especially from Apple, but the Google Pixel XL leaves them all in the dust. The display’s an incredible AMOLED with QHD (Quad HD) resolution, and a whopping 5.5 inches big - in other words, very big and very sharp. Just don’t expect to use this thing one-handed too easily.

With slick quad-core processors and 4GB of RAM, the Pixel XL can handle everything you need it to, from games to videos to document editing. It also comes with a fingerprint scanner, hefty 3450mAh battery, and a pretty decent camera. Not only has it got a 12MP lens, there’s phase detection and laser autofocus, plus dual-tone flash.

Because it comes straight from Google, it runs stock Android - 7.1 Nougat, to be exact - as smoothly and perfectly as it possibly can. You really can’t get better than this.

Best camera: LG G5

The snappers in our phones are reaching incredible quality today, and LG has taken phone cameras one step further with the G5.

The cameras attached to the LG G line have always been good. We're talking three-axis image stabilisation, colour spectrum sensor, manual settings that rival a DSLR, and some fun features too - like setting it to automatically snap a pic when you say the word 'cheese'.

LG G5, however, has the best so far. There aretwocameras on the back - a 16MP one, and an 8MP one with a wide-angle lens. The phone is also modular, and one of those modules you can slip on is the LG Cam Plus for even more focused manual controls.

Best Android for gaming and media: Sony Xperia Z5

Whether it's games, movies, TV, or even just surfing the net that you're interested in, there's really no better phone than the Sony Xperia Z5.

There's a 5.2-inch Full HD screen, an octa-core Snapdragon chipset, and 3GB RAM - more than enough for this phone to handle any game you can throw at it. And because it comes from Sony, you can link it up to your Playstation network or SEN account.

Not only is it great for gaming, the Z5 is a good all-rounder. The camera has a whopping 23MP, and you'll get Android Lollipop straight out of the box, plus there's the cool frosted glass back that feels pretty premium. You've also got the option of going for the Xperia Z5 Premium when it arrives: its 4K screen means an even clearer picture on games and movies, though running such a high-res screen may drain the battery quicker.

Best of the best: Samsung Galaxy S8

Refuse to settle for anything other than the absolute best when it comes to your phone? Then you'll want Samsung's current flagship, the Galaxy S8. With a sleek design and a screen that stretches right to the edges, as well as some of the most impressive specs you can get, this is a phone worth its salt.

So let's take a look at what you get. The 5.8-inch, QHD display is one of the sharpest you'll find - perfect for viewing the 12MP photos you take with the rear camera. Under the hood, there's an octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM, meaning it can handle even the most graphically intense of applications without much fuss.

Basically, the Galaxy S8 has all the features of its phablet Note 4 sibling but without the uncomfortably big size (although the slightly bigger Galaxy S8+ is pretty stunning too.). Its nearest rival in terms of specs and design, in fact, is the iPhone 7 - so this is definitely the best Android on the market right now.

FAQs

Yes you can. All you have to do is ask your old network for your Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) before your contract is up. Then give the PAC - likely a nine-digit number - to your new provider and you’ll usually be able to use your old number within a working day.

It is possible to use your phone abroad, but before you can do so you may have to activate roaming with your network operator. Different countries incur different charges, but your operator should send you a message about roaming prices upon your arrival. And remember, unlike at home, you may be charged for receiving calls as well as making them.

If you're travelling within the EU, you can use your usual monthly allowance at no extra cost - whatever network you're with.

Android: created by Google, this is the most used smartphone platform in the world. Different versions usually have food-based names - for example, Android 8.0 is known as Oreo. Apps are available from the Google Play Store. While the store is packed full of great apps, there’s less control over quality than Apple or Microsoft’s marketplaces.

iOS: Apple’s iPhones and iPads use iOS as their operating system. It’s reliable and intuitive, but can’t really be customised. The App Store is home to thousands of programs, including games and productivity tools.

Windows Phone: Based around constantly updating tiles and large icons, Microsoft’s platform is an impressively easy system to use. Apps are available to download from the Windows Phone Store. These days, very few mobiles run on the Windows Phone platform.

This website uses "cookies" to give you the best experience and to make it function correctly. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please read our Cookie policy. Using this website means you consent to their use but you can change your cookie settings at any time by following this link.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.